--- title: "Light Rail & Tramways" url: "https://www.systra.com/uk/markets/transport/light-rail/" type: markets date_published: 2023-05-09 date_modified: 2026-01-08 schema: @type: WebPage language: en-GB word_count: 1514 reading_time: 8 min canonical: "https://www.systra.com/uk/markets/transport/light-rail/" featured_image: "https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/06/manchester-metrolink-tram-stop-edited-1-scaled.jpg" --- # Light Rail & Tramways ![Light Rail & Tramways](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/06/manchester-metrolink-tram-stop-edited-1-scaled.jpg) #### Tackling Congestion in Urban Areas **Light rail and tram systems are part of our DNA at SYSTRA. We have played an integral role in the delivery of every type of light rail system throughout the world, helping local authorities and transport operators to implement safe, fast and sustainable mass transit solutions** . Light rail (LRT), tram and tram-train systems offer an increasingly popular way to move people efficiently and safely around urban areas. These transit systems work particularly well in busy urban corridors or where there is disused or underused conventional rail infrastructure. Properly planned and implemented, they help local authorities address urgent social, economic and environmental priorities. #### Key contacts ![A close up headshot photo of Andrew Dugdale. Andrew is wearing a shirt and suit jacket and is smiling at the camera.](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/02/andrew-dugdale-2.jpg) **Andrew DUGDALE** Market Director > [LinkedIn](https://uk.linkedin.com/in/andrew-dugdale-b590a330) ![David Carter](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/09/david-carter-1.jpg) **David CARTER** Director #### Connecting liveable urban environments Introducing any new transport infrastructure into congested urban areas poses many challenges for local authorities and transport bodies. Affordability and access to funding are major obstacles, while specialist planning, engineering and construction expertise are required to create new mass transit systems that are independent from traffic flows yet integrated with existing transport interchanges. The light rail specialists at SYSTRA have the multi-disciplinary expertise to plan, design and deliver the high-capacity, reliable, low-carbon tram systems that cities need to boost economic growth and create pleasant, liveable urban environments. [connect with our Light Rail specialists](https://www.systra.com/uk/contact/business/) [keep up to date with systra](https://www.systra.com/uk/newsletter/) [download our brochure](https://www.systra.com/uk/markets/transport/light-rail/#h-tramways-by-systra) #### Related markets - [Highways & Roads](https://www.systra.com/uk/markets/transport/highways-roads/) - [Conventional Rail](https://www.systra.com/uk/markets/transport/rail/) - [Bus](https://www.systra.com/uk/markets/transport/bus/) - [Metro](https://www.systra.com/uk/markets/transport/metro/) ![transport-planning-systra](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/06/transport-planning-systra-1024x645.jpg) _services Transport Planning Read more sur Transport Planning_ ![fares-and-ticketing-strategy-header](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/06/fares-and-ticketing-strategy-header-1024x645.jpg) _services Fares and Ticketing Strategy Read more sur Fares and Ticketing Strategy_ ![strategic-traffic-modelling-website-header](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/06/strategic-traffic-modelling-website-header-1024x645.jpg) _services Strategic Transport Modelling and Simulation Read more sur Strategic Transport Modelling and Simulation_ ![urban-design-and-masterplanning-header](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/06/urban-design-and-masterplanning-header-1024x645.jpg) _services Urban Design and Masterplanning Read more sur Urban Design and Masterplanning_ #### Light rail expertise breathes new life into urban areas Clients trust SYSTRA to recommend and design the optimal mass transit solution for each city and location. We deliver light rail solutions that increase ridership on public transport, support  [decarbonisation](https://www.systra.com/uk/services/transport-advisory/transport-decarbonisation/)  by shifting transport users away from cars in city centres, and create mass transit systems that operate independently from congested road networks. Our infrastructure capabilities include street-level, elevated, cut and cover, and tunnelling structures, while our systems capabilities include signalling, rolling stock, power supplies, telecoms, monitoring systems, ticketing, MEPs, permanent way and platform screen doors. We understand and regularly manage the complex interface between civil engineering and railway systems using  [modern methods of construction ](https://www.systra.com/uk/services/modern-methods-of-construction/) and operations. ![Tramway_T3_paris](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/04/t3_paris-edited-2-912x1024.jpg) #### Innovation with use of grass track in urban light rail systems SYSTRA has experience of delivering every type of tramway, and we have a reputation for innovation in areas such as power systems, grass tracks, viaducts and more. To preserve the visual appeal of urban heritage sites and conservation areas, we can design ground-level power supplies to avoid overhead wires. Grass tracks enhance the urban environment and create more appealing city centres, as well as helping to ease planning approvals. The light rail systems delivered by SYSTRA have much wider impacts on cities, supporting economic growth around tram routes and opening up new areas of the city for people to live and work in. Trams attract heavier usage than buses, accelerating the creation of diesel-free environments and improving air quality. ## Projects in action - ![Bologna Tram Network – Italy](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/bologna-tram-city-2-474x474.png) - [ Bologna Tram Network – Italy ](https://www.systra.com/uk/project/bologna-tram-network-italy/) - ![Bordeaux Tram Network – France](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/tramway_bordeaux-e1611659205138-474x474.jpg) - [ Bordeaux Tram Network – France ](https://www.systra.com/uk/project/bordeaux-tram-network-france/) - ![Dubai’s futuristic tram: SYSTRA’s role in a world-first transport system](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/09/header_tram_dubai-474x474.jpg) - [ Dubai’s futuristic tram: SYSTRA’s role in a world-first transport system ](https://www.systra.com/uk/project/dubai-tram-united-arab-emirates/) - ![Brest Tramway and BRT](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/brest2-min-474x474.jpg) - [ Brest Tramway and BRT ](https://www.systra.com/uk/?post_type=projects&p=10178) - ![Lyon Tram Network – France](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/11/lyon-tram-474x474.jpeg) - [ Lyon Tram Network – France ](https://www.systra.com/uk/project/lyon-tram-network-france/) #### Light rail services to meet long-term objectives SYSTRA supports light rail system development with a range of services, covering the full project lifecycle from concept to delivery. SYSTRA also supports the development and delivery of a whole range of urban mass transit systems. Our expertise and skills enable us to assess various options and to recommend the right solution for each urban environment. These solutions may include any combination of light rail, trams, tram-train, buses, busways, metro or urban rail systems. ### We’d love to help with your next LIGHT RAIL project ![Andrew-Dugdale](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/10/andrew-dugdale.jpg) **Andrew DUGDALE** Market Director ![David Carter](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/09/david-carter-1.jpg) **David CARTER** Director [Connect with our LIGHT RAIL specialists](https://www.systra.com/uk/contact/business/) ![24](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/11/24.jpg) #### Tramways by SYSTRA Mobility projects driving change in cities. [view brochure](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/11/tramway-by-systra-group-3.pdf) ## Insights ![electric_bus_1](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/07/electric_bus_1-1024x682.jpg) - Expert Insights Marie DEMONCEAU, Dennis WONG, Frédéric TOGUYENI, Simon MEIERS ### Energy transition: public transport leads the way [ Read more ](https://www.systra.com/uk/expert_insights/energy-transition-public-transport-leads-the-way/) ![paramics-discovery-2](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/04/paramics-discovery-2-edited-1024x577.jpg) - Expert Insights Mike SCOTT &; Darren KIRKMAN ### Thriving cities – making the political case [ Read more ](https://www.systra.com/uk/expert_insights/thriving-cities-making-the-political-case/) ## our Light Rail Services ![systems-approach-1](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/07/systems-approach-1-1024x645.jpg) _services Systems Approach Read more sur Systems Approach_ ![artboard-8](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/07/artboard-8-1024x645.jpg) _services Station and Platform Design Read more sur Station and Platform Design_ ![systems-engineering-integration](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/07/systems-engineering-integration-1024x645.jpg) _services Systems Engineering & Integration Read more sur Systems Engineering & Integration_ ![markets-transport-hubs-website-header](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/05/l3-markets-transport-hubs-website-header-1024x645.jpg) _markets Transport Hubs & Interchanges Read more sur Transport Hubs & Interchanges_ ![highways-road-design-and-engineering-header](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/06/highways-road-design-and-engineering-header-1024x645.jpg) _services Highways, Road Design & Engineering Read more sur Highways, Road Design & Engineering_ [JOIN OUR COMMUNITY](https://www.systra.com/uk/register/join-our-community/) ![](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/careers-1024x323.jpg) Find out what its like to work at SYSTRA, rewards, benefits and about different career pathways including [apprenticeships](https://www.systra.com/uk/careers/early-careers/apprenticeships/) and [graduate](https://www.systra.com/uk/careers/early-careers/graduates/) opportunities. [SEARCH CAREERS](https://www.systra.com/uk/careers/start-a-career-at-systra/) ## Check our other activities [ ![Water & Environment](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/09/waste-water-header.jpg) ### Water & Environment [ ![Leeds Recycling & Energy Recovery Facility (RERF)](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/05/energy_header.jpg) ### Energy [ ![Cities, Towns & Urban Mobility](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/05/dsc05649-scaled.jpg) ### Cities, Towns & Urban Mobility [ ![Sheffield Supertram in Sheffield city centre](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/09/mass-transit-header.jpg) ### Mass Transit